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Orlando Coalition Aims to Make Streets Safer for Pedestrians


Civic leaders and local law enforcement launched a campaign Wednesday to bring down Orlando's high pedestrian fatality rate.

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Metro Orlando regularly tops national lists of US cities for pedestrian accidents, with an average of one pedestrian killed every week and two injured every day.

Best Foot Forward is an initiative led by Bike Walk Central Florida. Coalition partners include local governments and law enforcement agencies, Orlando Health and the Winter Park Health Foundation.

The initiative aims to reduce the rate of pedestrian deaths and injuries by ten per cent each year, through education, enforcement and street improvements.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings says drivers who don’t stop for pedestrians can expect to get tickets.

“We’re going to be the enforcement arm," said Demings.

"There will be individuals who initially when we begin will be given warnings, then they’ll be cited. The best way we probably can change the behavior of pedestrians and drivers is to ensure that we have appropriate enforcement.”

The initiative also plans to improve street lighting and signage, and educate drivers to yield to pedestrians.

Meanwhile Orlando is partway through a 4 million dollar project to increase the number of sidewalks in the city.

 

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